DAVE DAHL: You talk about finger-pointing. When you were a candidate, you said, “I’m going to take the arrows.” And you’ve been governor now for more than two years, I’m not sure I can identify an arrow that you’ve taken, as opposed to: it’s the unions, it’s the speaker, it’s the comptroller, it’s the Democrats. Where am I wrong on that?
GOV. RAUNER: Well, you know what I’ve been governor, Dave, for two years. It’s really dog years, it’s like fourteen years, but it’s two years. And we’ve changed great things on issues that we can control. We’ve brought down spending in government, we’ve cut spending, we’ve got new contracts with government unions — 18 new union contracts that are innovative and save taxpayers’ money. We’ve transformed the technology use inside our government. We’ve transformed criminal justice. We formed Intersect Illinois and recruited thousands of new jobs here to Illinois. We’ve done great things.
But where Speaker Madigan’s majority can block us, they’ve blocked us at every step. Their answer is not what’s good for the people of Illinois, it’s whatever can block the governor. And that’s what the speaker has done — and his allies. They blocked the Fair Foundation for here in Springfield to fix up the fairgrounds. They blocked the Thompson Center sale up in Chicago. They blocked the I-55 managed lane on the highway. They blocked a balanced budget. They blocked workers’ comp reform.
They don’t want to change the system because they created it over the last 35 years. They don’t want to admit that the system is broken. They don’t want to change it. They and their buddies in the political class are making a lot of money in the current system, but your average family — and I just saw that our middle class is down dramatically over the last 30 years in Illinois, middle class down dramatically in Illinois because the political class and Speaker Madigan are doing well and the working families aren’t.
That’s why we’ve got to change and we’ve got to stay strong on it.
DAHL: In two plus years, can you name a time where, “You know what, I messed up,” or “the buck stops with the governor,” or “that’s on me” or “I took an arrow?”
RAUNER: Boy, well in terms of taking arrows, I take arrows every day. We’ve got, all of us have a duty to change the system and provide a better future for the people of Illinois. That’s why we’re in office. And this should be public service. This should not be a way for elected officials to make money, accumulate power from their position.
I’m a volunteer, Dave, and I believe in term limits. I’m fighting for term limits. I would term limit myself at two terms no matter what else happens. And I’m not taking any pay, I’m not taking any pension. People should be in office for public service. And as part of public service what we should do every day is to think about: what’s the right answer for our children and our grandchildren? What’s the best answer for Clifford and his classmates in school? What’s the best answer for the young people of Illinois?
And what’s not the right answer is more deficit spending. What’s not the right answer is more debt. And it’s immoral that over the last 35 years under Speaker Madigan’s control we’ve got 180 billion dollars of debt. That is immoral. That is not fair to our kids — my kids, your kids, Dave — and we’ve got to change the system. And those folks who say: well let’s just raise taxes, like the Senate did yesterday, and things will be okay, we’ll get a balanced budget. You know what? The budget will be out of balance within a year or two, and we will have pushed more jobs out, we will have raised the cost of living on the families of Illinois, and we will continue our broken system. We cannot allow that to happen.
- Michelle Flaherty - Thursday, May 25, 17 @ 11:44 am:
So we’ve gone 14 years without a budget?
- Skeptic - Thursday, May 25, 17 @ 11:45 am:
“Name one time when you screwed up.” “Because Madigan.” Newtown’s 4th law of motion: “Rauner will stay on message no matter what.”
- Archiesmom - Thursday, May 25, 17 @ 11:46 am:
Got to give the guy credit for his ability to stay on point. I think you could ask him what’s for dinner and get the same answer.
- Archiesmom - Thursday, May 25, 17 @ 11:47 am:
Seems like it, Michelle…
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, May 25, 17 @ 11:49 am:
===But where Speaker Madigan’s majority can block us, they’ve blocked us at every step.===
Yeah, Governor, I’m gonna stop you right there…
Two words.
Ken. Dunkin.
Bruce Rauner is arguably the most disingenuous governor to his own governing that I can remember.
Ken Dunkin was a block to everything.
Speaker Madigan controlled Dunkin?
- Linus - Thursday, May 25, 17 @ 11:50 am:
Good on Dahl for asking and asking again. Too bad it’s always met with, “Well, you know what? You know what? Know what?”
- Commonsense in Illinois - Thursday, May 25, 17 @ 11:50 am:
I’m in charge, but it isn’t my fault…
This is where I have an issue with “volunteer” elected officials. While I’m sure there are those in the public that just love the idea of a governor rejecting a salary and being a “volunteer” but when it comes to actually achieving something, few if any of these “volunteers” ever get something finished. There is no skin in the game - just someone who’s in it for the glory.
Look Governor, running the state of Illinois is tough,hard work, and simply sitting back and waiting for everyone else to come to your way of thinking just isn’t going to happen. Quit making speeches and recognize that you, sir, ARE a part of the problem.
- Mr. K. - Thursday, May 25, 17 @ 11:53 am:
For someone who (apparently) prides himself on his manly flannels, duck caps, and riding cuts, he’s the most passively impotetent politician I’ve ever seen.
If you’re blocked — find a way around it. Negotiate a deal. Isn’t that the whole point?
And this volunteer thing. Good god. That’s like saying you know education because “my wife and I” have given millions.
Yeah, you know education galas and formal dinners maybe. Expensive wine. But that’s it. That’s what your “millions” get. Not smarts — just access.
- Rogue Roni - Thursday, May 25, 17 @ 11:54 am:
I agree with Rauner on one thing, Rauner years are like dog years.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, May 25, 17 @ 11:55 am:
Bruce Rauned is indeed a volunteer.
Bruce volunteered for Uihlein, Griffin, and Diana Rauner to make “business decisions” to destroy social services and higher education long enough to force the destruction of Labor, causing all to be diminished, passively or actively, until Raunerism hurts enough people to make Griffin, Uhlein, Bruce… and Diana Rauner happy that Illinois was dismantled by Bruce’s warped dream.
Oh, Bruce is a volunteer…
“Please, please please… can I destroy Illinois… Please?!”
What a farce.
- Waiting - Thursday, May 25, 17 @ 11:56 am:
The last paragraph is dead on. The guy’s got a point.
- 37B - Thursday, May 25, 17 @ 11:58 am:
So the bill backlog has actually increased by less than a Billion dollars per Rauner dog year.
There. I feel better.
- Common Sense - Thursday, May 25, 17 @ 12:00 pm:
You might be tired of the answer but it is the truth, something public union employees and journalists don’t seem to understand. This state hasn’t had a balanced budget for 15 years. The Governor has been here for two. I’d like to see a deal as well but it takes two to make a deal and the Speaker just isn’t interested.
- Mr. K. - Thursday, May 25, 17 @ 12:00 pm:
What if Rauner doesn’t run again? What if he just walks away?
- 37B - Thursday, May 25, 17 @ 12:00 pm:
PS: Is it just me or is it time for a new dog?
- Rich Miller - Thursday, May 25, 17 @ 12:02 pm:
===You might be tired of the answer but it is the truth===
He’s never made a mistake?
Seriously?
- Franklin Delano Bluth - Thursday, May 25, 17 @ 12:05 pm:
==Well, you know what I’ve been governor, Dave, for two years. It’s really dog years, it’s like fourteen years, but it’s two years==
This is a Trumpian level avoidance of question
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, May 25, 17 @ 12:05 pm:
- Common Sense -,
You lack common sense…
How?
===This state hasn’t had a balanced budget for 15 years. The Governor has been here for two. I’d like to see a deal as well but…===
Aw, this almost makes sense. Almost.
Rauner himself has yet to produce a balanced budget. Two years running.
So, while your common sense seems thoughtful, it’s not.
It’s only thoughtful if you have anger towards Rauner too, continuing the status quo of… what was it… 15 years… if the status quo Rauner himself is still advocating.
It’s common sense to see Rauner’s destruction and Rauner’s want of the status quo, even after getting his un-passable Turnaround Agenda items.
- RNUG - Thursday, May 25, 17 @ 12:10 pm:
== And what’s not the right answer is more deficit spending. What’s not the right answer is more debt. ==
So,Governor, why do you continue to spend and increase debt?
- X-prof - Thursday, May 25, 17 @ 12:12 pm:
Volunteer governor? Hardly.
After his election, Rauner asked for (and the Dems foolishly granted) an income tax cut from 5% to 3.75%. Rauner’s taxable IL income in 2016 was $188 million, so he saved $2.35 million at the expense of the general revenue fund in that year alone. Guess who will have to make that deficit up someday fellow taxpayers?
Personally, I’d rather pay the governor’s salary in return for him governing in the interest of the people of IL.
- 47th Ward - Thursday, May 25, 17 @ 12:14 pm:
Governor Trump.
- Michael Westen - Thursday, May 25, 17 @ 12:15 pm:
Right. Rauner is a “volunteer” who tripled his income in one year as Governor despite his assets being in a “blind trust.” Anyone who believes that stand on their head.
- Nick Name - Thursday, May 25, 17 @ 12:21 pm:
“Got to give the guy credit for his ability to stay on point.”
Ability to stay on point or hyper-crazed monomania?
- Grandson of Man - Thursday, May 25, 17 @ 12:25 pm:
Blame, blame, blame others. Rauner’s unwilling to take responsibility. It’s also his way or the highway.
“They and their buddies in the political class are making a lot of money in the current system”
Bruce must have made so much money off of public employee pensions that he had to announce it when he released his tax return last year. He’s not part of the “system?” Yeah, right.
He is the political class personified. He’s a sitting governor who bought an entire state political party.
- Norseman - Thursday, May 25, 17 @ 12:25 pm:
Oh, so he meant that he’d make the arrows fly by, not take them.
- El Conquistador - Thursday, May 25, 17 @ 12:29 pm:
He’s just an incompetent witness to it all…
- Annonin' - Thursday, May 25, 17 @ 12:39 pm:
Let’s deal with the facts
1. Fair Foundation continues to stumble raisin’ next to nothin’ This will be his 3rd fair
2. I-55 tollway…his stooges pulled plug (Tollway Authority sez not feasible)
3. JRTC DopeyDuct clown car unloaded more untrained Magoos —- you may be a final chance on this one.
4You still found time for 3 sleazy warehouse deals.
What a record
- Mike Cirrincione - Thursday, May 25, 17 @ 12:46 pm:
Bruce,
Governin’ is a little different than a managin’ a nursin’ home, huh?
Love,
Mike
- Lucky Pierre - Thursday, May 25, 17 @ 12:54 pm:
Has Governor Edgar, Governor Thompson, Governor Blagoevich, Speaker Madigan, Senator Cullerton, Senator Emil Jones, Lee Daniels, Pate Phillip, Mayor Daley, Mayor Emmanuel, Arne Duncan this list goes on ever admitted a mistake or accepted any responsibility for the government finances in Illinois?
Of course not although most have been in office for decades but are eager to shift blame to the Governor who has been here for a little over two years.
What is the linkage between Rauner’s income and his government service? Please tell us how they are related.
How does the Governor have this wrong? Clearly the Speaker does not recognize there is divided government in Springfield and has not compromised on anything in over two years.
Now with one week to go in the session, he is eager to work with the Governor on economic issues after a session where zero substantial legislation has passed.
- GA Watcher - Thursday, May 25, 17 @ 12:56 pm:
I hope the media outlets that have been interviewing the Governor the last month or so start thinking about giving the other candidates equal time. He’s speaking as a candidate who happens to be Governor, not as our State’s chief elected official.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, May 25, 17 @ 1:01 pm:
===Has Governor Edgar, Governor Thompson, Governor Blagoevich, Speaker Madigan, Senator Cullerton, Senator Emil Jones, Lee Daniels, Pate Phillip, Mayor Daley, Mayor Emmanuel, Arne Duncan this list goes on ever admitted a mistake or accepted any responsibility for the government finances in Illinois?===
So you admit Rauner is part of the Starus Quo, like….
Governor Edgar, Governor Thompson, Governor Blagoevich, Speaker Madigan, Senator Cullerton, Senator Emil Jones, Lee Daniels, Pate Phillip, Mayor Daley, Mayor Emmanuel, Arne Duncan this list goes on…
I dunno if that’s an argument you want to make, lol
===Of course not although most have been in office for decades but are eager to shift blame to the Governor who has been here for a little over two years.===
“Pat Quinn failed”… so there’s that.
Bruce Rauner failed… ask Candidate Rauner.
===How does the Governor have this wrong? Clearly the Speaker does not recognize there is divided government in Springfield and has not compromised on anything===
Do you want me, yet again, pull out the Edgar and Geo. Ryan quotes in what it takes to be governor.
According to you, a Speaker is more powerful than a governor. Past governors and a constitution refute that ignorance.
===Now with one week to go in the session, he is eager to work with the Governor on economic issues after a session where zero substantial legislation has passed.===
If all that is true, than Rauner himself has no accomplishments as the governor of Illinois.
I’m glad you think Rauner fails. I’ll show you where you admit that too.
- Demoralized - Thursday, May 25, 17 @ 1:02 pm:
==are eager to shift blame to the Governor who has been here for a little over two years.==
Tell us, Lucky, what it the threshold for when a person shares in the responsibility? 3 years? 4 years? 10 years? If you and others want to argue that the Governor is the victim and it’s not his fault then give us the point in time when he does begin to share the responsibility. Because I gotta tell you this constant victimhood is getting really tireseome so I’d like to know at what point he stops being the victim.
- Demoralized - Thursday, May 25, 17 @ 1:04 pm:
==Rauner himself has no accomplishments as the governor of Illinois==
Sure he does. A 2 plus year streak of blaming others.
- Anonymous - Thursday, May 25, 17 @ 1:07 pm:
After his election, Rauner asked for (and the Dems foolishly granted) an income tax cut from 5% to 3.75%.
Fake news X prof-
The temporary tax increase was designed by law down to 3.75% after 4 years at the higher rate. Nobody had to vote to cut taxes, it happened automatically as originally designed.
Democrats could have passed a permanent income tax in 2011 (they did not)
they could have passed a permanent income tax, when the rate sunsetted to 3.75% (they did not)
Governor Rauner did advocate for the lower rate but it was democrats who allowed it to happen before he was inaugurated
Has anyone ask Speaker Madigan or Senator Cullerton why they thought Rauner would just go along with a tax increase without any reforms?
Now Senate Democrats are for raising the tax all on their own with out a corresponding property tax freeze or any other economic reforms.
Why do they suddenly think now that the Governor will go along with the tax increase without any reforms?
- Jocko - Thursday, May 25, 17 @ 1:09 pm:
==We’ve brought down spending in government==
…and run up a 14 billion dollar tab
==we’ve cut spending==
…but my agency heads can’t find savings and we owe billions to schools & social services.
==we’ve got new contracts with government unions==
…that will be torn up or re-written by the courts.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, May 25, 17 @ 1:13 pm:
===After his election, Rauner asked for (and the Dems foolishly granted) an income tax cut from 5% to 3.75%.
Fake news X prof-===
This is a documented fact. As candidate Rauner campaigned, and Gov-Elect pleaded… Rauner wanted that tax to sunset. Rauner isn’t off the hook for running, pleading, then congratulating the sunsetting of the income tax rate.
Rauner indeed owns that part.
Had Rauner stayed silent, what a hammer Rauner would have, based in fact.
===The temporary tax increase was designed by law down to 3.75% after 4 years at the higher rate. Nobody had to vote to cut taxes, it happened automatically as originally designed.===
Rauner asked as Gov-Elect for that outcome, then applauded that outcome after adjournment.
Either work in these facts or don’t. The fact is Rauner asked, and later applauded.
- Lucky Pierre - Thursday, May 25, 17 @ 1:28 pm:
What was the Democrats motive for doing so OW?
Has anyone ever asked the Speaker or Senate President? In light of this week’s Senate tax increase it seems like a good question
Allow the tax to sunset and then compromise on nothing with House Republicans, Senate Republicans and Governor Rauner for over two years.
Were they just expecting they would give the Governor zero wins on even easy stuff like the sale of the State of Illinois building and I55 and then expect him to raise taxes all by himself?
Horrible miscalculation by arrogant career politicians and of course you blame Rauner for 100 %
- Rich Miller - Thursday, May 25, 17 @ 1:32 pm:
LP, I’m not sure how you were raised, but I was taught to admit my mistakes and confront them so I could learn from them.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, May 25, 17 @ 1:36 pm:
===you blame Rauner for 100 %===
Nope. You can’t read, or you are willfully ignorant.
Rauner, and you, can NOT hold liable just the GA. Rauner himself is complicit. Rauner asked. Begged. Congratulated. Rauner wanted the sun setting. Get over it, lol.
===What was the Democrats motive for doing so…===
They followed the sunsetting as prescribed. Rauner asked them to follow the deadline. Because Rauner asked, a case is made the motivation was to appease the governor-elect. Rauner thanking them also lets that motivation have truth.
The rest?
The rest of your drivel is explained away by Edgar and GHR trying to explain to Rauner his being governor works, and Rauner wanted to purposely destroy Illinois, not govern, which is why Rauner says he’s winning.
Rauner says.
He’s winning.
Are you refuting Rauner’s thinking that he’s winning?
- @MisterJayEm - Thursday, May 25, 17 @ 1:38 pm:
“Has Governor Edgar, Governor Thompson, Governor Blagoevich, Speaker Madigan, Senator Cullerton, Senator Emil Jones, Lee Daniels, Pate Phillip, Mayor Daley, Mayor Emmanuel, Arne Duncan this list goes on ever admitted a mistake or accepted any responsibility for the government finances in Illinois?”
Literally the fault of ANYBODY but the serving Governor of Illinois, huh?
– MrJM
- Lucky Pierre - Thursday, May 25, 17 @ 1:45 pm:
Rich,
Have any leaders admitted any mistakes? I have heard zero mea culpas from anyone. Democrats have been in power for decades and yet they admit no mistakes and can’t support even modest reforms.
Have the Democrats even acknowledged how workers comp and high property taxes are causing a huge exodus of taxpaying citizens to leave Illinois?
You guys all act like Illinois’s decline started two years ago when this has been decades in the making. Apparently we just need to raise taxes like we did before and expect better results.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, May 25, 17 @ 1:48 pm:
- Lucky Pierre -
The last time you decided to go after Rich it didn’t end well…
- Lucky Pierre - Thursday, May 25, 17 @ 1:52 pm:
Go after? How is this going after? Expecting equal responsibility for co equal branches of government?
You guys put one standard on the Governor and another on Speaker Madigan and Senator Cullerton. Only the Governor is supposed to accept blame and admit mistakes.
This is not a monarchy and compromise is required. Clearly Illinois voters elected Governor Rauner to change Springfield and not just go along with what the Speaker gives him which is nothing.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, May 25, 17 @ 1:56 pm:
===Expecting equal responsibility… ===
“Pat Quinn failed”
Bruce Rauner failed.
According to you, this is true now.
So, there’s that.
Anything else?
- RNUG - Thursday, May 25, 17 @ 2:00 pm:
Serious question. When I’d the IGOP going to get fed up with this clown?
If the IDEMs ever get their messaging act together (and I admit that is a big IF), the IGOP will he going down with the ship.
- Lucky Pierre - Thursday, May 25, 17 @ 2:03 pm:
OW, what do they both have in common?
They had to deal with your idol, by far the most unpopular politician in Illinois.
The Speaker who cannot speak on the floor or to the media because he is considered the person most responsible for the impasse and Illinois terrible fiscal condition right now.
Rauner has two more years and possibly another term to win. Pat Quinn’s term is over. When you watch a football game do you leave at halftime?
The Speaker’s record of over 40 years is a failure.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, May 25, 17 @ 2:03 pm:
To the Update…
===Governors lead, and Bruce Rauner’s failure…===
This.
Just this. All day. All day, every day, twice on Sunday.
This is Skyhook in Reverse.
Skyhook works. Ask Candidate/Gov-Elect/Governor Bruce Rauner.
“Governors lead, and Bruce Rauner’s failure…”
Just. This.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, May 25, 17 @ 2:09 pm:
- Lucky Pierre -
(Sigh)
===They had to deal with your idol===
Jim Edgar? Jim Thompson?
Rauner is a Raunerite. Not agreeing with Raunerites or Rauner doesn’t make Madigan the idol to Republicans. Good try.
===by far the most unpopular politician in Illinois===
Again, it tiring but…
Madigan 61% disapproval
Rauner 58% disapproval.
The “by far” being 3 points in a poll with MOE that is around 3 explains a great deal about your honesty.
===Rauner has two more years and possibly another term to win.===
Rauner says he’s winning. Rauner has said it. You don’t agree? Hmm.
You’ve admitted Rauner fails, that’s a winning formula. Ask Rauner, lol
- wordslinger - Thursday, May 25, 17 @ 2:43 pm:
–And what’s not the right answer is more deficit spending. What’s not the right answer is more debt.–
Is he trying to apologize? Because that’s exactly what’s happening, in record numbers.
- Jerry - Thursday, May 25, 17 @ 2:57 pm:
Bruce made $90,000.00 an hour last year.
Mexico will pay for the wall.
- Lucky Pierre - Thursday, May 25, 17 @ 3:01 pm:
Demoralized, when have I ever said the Governor does not share the blame in the failure of Illinois Government?
That is completely different than the Governor is supposed to fix everything by himself even though the legislature which is a co equal branch will fix nothing and be defended by 90 percent of the commenters here.
Voters agree Rauner’s favorables are 10 points higher than Madigan or Cullerton
- Demoralized - Thursday, May 25, 17 @ 3:05 pm:
==Only the Governor is supposed to accept blame and admit mistakes.==
Who said that? What has been said is that the Governor never accepts responsibility for anything. He is clearly culpable (at least partially) for what has occurred over the past 2 1/2 years.
==Clearly Illinois voters elected Governor Rauner to change Springfield and not just go along with what the Speaker gives him which is nothing.==
Sigh. Those same voters also elected a majority Democratic General Assembly. Voters are schizophrenic that way.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, May 25, 17 @ 3:07 pm:
===…when have I ever said the Governor does not share the blame in the failure of Illinois Government?===
Heck, - Lucky Pierre - even said “Bruce Rauner fails”, lol
- Demoralized - Thursday, May 25, 17 @ 3:07 pm:
==Voters agree Rauner’s favorables are 10 points higher than Madigan or Cullerton==
LOL!! Your attempts to parlay a 58% disapproval rating into a positive are hilarious. Please. Voters dislike everyone, the Governor included. Don’t even try to make any other argument.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, May 25, 17 @ 3:10 pm:
===Voters agree Rauner’s favorables are 10 points higher than Madigan or Cullerton===
The 58% disapproval statewide for a statewide candidate… and you’re worried about being more popular then two people not running statewide?
You need a nap.
- Hieronymus - Thursday, May 25, 17 @ 3:23 pm:
@37B 12:00pm
“P.S. Is it just me or is it time for a new dog?”
Oh, it’s time for a new dog, because as they say, “This dog does not hunt!”
- Lucky Pierre - Thursday, May 25, 17 @ 3:43 pm:
Yes I am well rested but why would Illinois voters like a democratic candidate for Governor who is against redistricting, property tax reform, government consolidation, term limits, workers comp reform and is in lockstep with Speaker Madigan?
There is zero daylight between the candidates for Governor and the Speaker and no one thinks this is a problem for Democrats?
Not really concerned about polls two years before an election but you guys think its over now. Right now the Paul Simon poll has the Governor’s approval 10 points higher than the Speaker or the Senate President.
You can’t beat someone with nothing and the Democrats have no message and no specifics other than Rauner is bad and billionaires need to pay their fair share. Apparently no downside to being against property tax reform.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, May 25, 17 @ 3:49 pm:
===Not really concerned about polls two years before an election but you guys think its over now.===
It was YOU citing the poll to make your point.
You need a nap, you’re talking in circles, refuting your own points.
“Bruce Rauner fails” is based on a winning blueprint, lol
Bud, maybe an early weekend, Monday is even a holiday, lol
- thoughts matter - Thursday, May 25, 17 @ 4:14 pm:
So that guy that made $90000 an hour last year wants me to pat him on the back because he’s foregoing his governor’s salary and possible pension? Seriously? My pension will be somewhere where around $20,000 a YEAR. I sure didn’t make $90,000 an hour last year or any other year. And, Governor Rauner begrudges me both my salary and my pension.
- Demoralized - Thursday, May 25, 17 @ 4:33 pm:
== who is against redistricting, property tax reform, government consolidation, term limits, workers comp reform ==
He’s against the Governor’s specific plans for property taxes and worker’s comp. House passed a permanent property tax freeze. I’m pretty sure there’s not a blanket opposition to workers comp or local government consolidation either. For you being against the Governor’s plan means you must be against it period. You’re an all or nothing guy you are.
== but you guys think its over now==
Who said that?
==poll has the Governor’s approval 10 points higher than the Speaker or the Senate President==
Well, he’s not running against either of those two so there’s that.
==You can’t beat someone with nothing ==
Then I suggest the Governor get off the dime as well because he’s got nothing either.
- VanillaMan - Thursday, May 25, 17 @ 5:12 pm:
-….but why would Illinois voters like a democratic candidate for Governor who is against redistricting, property tax reform, government consolidation, term limits, workers comp reform and is in lockstep with Speaker Madigan?–
Because things have gotten so much worse with Rauner as governor, than they were under Blagojevich and Quinn.
Because Rauner lied his way into office by convincing swing voters that he’d not do, what he’s done. Voters want revenge for Rauner’s lies.
Because he completely destroyed any trust or credibility for ILGOP, his reform ideas and for future businesspeople seeking public office. His term stinks so badly he’s New Coke, Edsel, Cousin Oliver and ZIMA combined.
Rauner is a such a complete failure, voters pine for bad government. That’s his good points! It’ll take a decade of bad government to mend his term in office.
- VanillaMan - Thursday, May 25, 17 @ 5:27 pm:
I don’t want Rauner to admit to his incompetence and mistakes. I want every Illinoisan to see this man for who he really thinks he is.
- Lucky Pierre - Thursday, May 25, 17 @ 5:34 pm:
Here we are with a week to go in the legislative session and nothing of significance has passed to go to the Governor.
If the Democrats had such a popular agenda filled with great ideas, why not pass it through both chambers and dare the Governor to veto it. They can do that all on their own with their majorities.
The fact they have not belies the fact they want no changes to Illinois government or our business environment. If they did they would have passed them
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, May 25, 17 @ 5:43 pm:
===Here we are with a week to go in the legislative session and nothing of significance has passed to go to the Governor.===
“Here we are with a week to go in the legislative session and nothing of significance has passed to go to the Governor. I guess Rauner had no legislative successes to sign to show bipartisan support for an agenda that Rauner wanted made into law”
Rauner has no legislative successes?
Bruce Rauner fails… Hmm.
===If the Democrats had such a popular agenda filled with great ideas, why not pass it through both chambers and dare the Governor to veto it. They can do that all on their own with their majorities===
“If Rauner had such a popular agenda filled with great ideas, why not pass it through both chambers to show the Governor can be someone that can pass an agenda and then sign it.
Democrats, lacking 71 and 36 can’t do that all, lacking veto- proof majorities”
“The fact that Rauner lacks success belies the fact Rauner does not want compromise to save Illinois government or our business environment. If Rauner wanted a budget or a passed agenda, he would have worked with Democrats”
Better.
- JS Mill - Thursday, May 25, 17 @ 8:42 pm:
If Rauner wants a deal why not engage immediately with the house team?
Because he just can’t. Until he proves otherwise it just does not seem to be in him or within his capacity to get a deal.
I bargain all of the time. You get a deal, move on and then when the opportunity comes (for Rauner this would be every year by the way) you try and improve the deal.
Even Trump gets that.
- Rabid - Friday, May 26, 17 @ 6:49 am:
I thought I made a mistake once but I was wrong